Jakarta, Indonesia (March 23, 2015) – The International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO®) and the National Standardization Agency of Indonesia (BSN) on March 18 at the Ritz-Carlton, Jakarta, co-hosted an industry and media event to bring awareness about World Plumbing Day and introduce the result of their joint efforts, the Indonesian National Standard (SNI) for plumbing systems.

The event, revolving around the World Plumbing Council’s (WPC) annual World Plumbing Day — March 11, Every Year, Everywhere —celebrated the successful development of the first Indonesian National Standard for plumbing — SNI 8153:2015, Plumbing Systems for Buildings — highlighting the need for standardization across the plumbing industry, from standards to certification, and how this document will have an immediate, lasting impact on every citizen of Indonesia.

The day-long event featured opening remarks (video presentation) by Sudhakaran Nair, WPC chairman; GP Russ Chaney, The IAPMO Group CEO; Kristen Bauer, deputy chief of Mission, U.S. Embassy Jakarta; Prof. Dr. Bambang Prasetya, BSN chairman; representatives from the minister of Industry’s office; Hanif Dhakiri, minister of Manpower; and representatives from the minister of Public Works and Housing’s office.

The official launching of SNI Plumbing Systems highlighted the event’s activities. IAPMO and BSN have collaborated for more than a decade, openly sharing knowledge, resources and ideas that would aid in the development of Indonesian national standards. IAPMO is not only working with officials in Indonesia to enhance the national plumbing system standard to assist in protecting the health and safety of the nation’s citizens through the safe delivery of water through properly installed and certified products, but also helping to promote a level playing field for all manufacturers by providing the necessary capacity building and technical assistance for enforcement.

“Whether they be 50-story commercial offices, industrial complexes, hospitals, condominiums or individual homes, all will now have the ability to receive wholesome water and, as importantly, to have improved sanitation systems that effectively and efficiently remove waste from all types of buildings, assisting in the containment of viruses and other contaminants,” Chaney said. “The standards are now available to those that have the expertise to design, manufacture, install, inspect and maintain plumbing systems, thus ensuring a high degree of protection for all that live in or that visit this great country.”

The event also featured panel discussions on subjects directly germane to plumbing systems and their impact on health and safety in Indonesia. Delta, Kohler, Toto, E/One Sewer Systems, PT. Lucky Top Metals, PT. Tri Sinar Purnama, and Viega were supporting organizations for the event.

The WPC in 2010 established March 11 as World Plumbing Day, an annual celebration to promote appreciation of the plumbing industry’s vital work on behalf of the planet and its people. The event aims to help the general public better understand how the plumbing industry protects the public’s health and safety, demonstrate the extent to which it works to limit mankind’s environmental footprint and to illuminate other important and often unsung work performed by contractors, inspectors, installers, engineers, manufacturers and academicians. IAPMO has been an enthusiastic supporter of World Plumbing Day from its inception, developing educational materials and administering student contests to promote the event.